Apparatus for preparing a printed and punched card

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for preparing a printed and punched card comprising a readout means for reading out signals representing information punched in a tape, a letter signal generating means for generating letter signals corresponding to the types successively passing through a printing section, a printing means for printing in two rows by a double-faced hammer with a paper card interposed therebetween, a punching means for punching the paper card by the vertical movement of a punching rod and a control device for actuating both printing and punching means at the same time when the letter signals are exactly identified with the information signals.

United States Patent Nagata June 6, 1972 54] APPARATUS FOR PREPARING A 3,473,466 10 1969 Thayer .101/93 c PRINTED AND PUNCHED CARD 2,9 1,710 7/1961 Harwood 3,420,166 1/1969 Ellis et al [721 memo Etsum Nagm, Tokyo Japan 3,427,962 2/1969 Giannuzzi et a1 [73] Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.,

Kawasaki-shi, Japan Primary ExaminerJames M. Meister Filed: p 1970 Attorney-Kemon, Palmer & Estabrook [21] Appl. No.: 27,408 [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for preparing a printed and punched card com- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data prising a readout means for reading out signals representing Apr. 14 1969 Japan ..44/2s3s3 infcmlaim Punched in a tape, a letter ignal generating Apt 1969 Japan "44/28382 means for generating letter signals corresponding to the types successively passing through a printing section, a printing 52 us. c1. .234 24, 101/93 0, 234/35, means for Priming by dOUbe'faCed hammer with 234/67, 234/74 a paper card interposed therebetween, a punching means for 51 Int. Cl. ..B41j 5 42 Punching the paper Card y the vertical movement of a {53! Field f Search 234 24 35.37 punching rod and a control device for actuating both printing 234/67, 74; [01/93 C and punching means at the same time when the letter signals are exactly identified with the information signals. [56] References Cited 10 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,232,404 2/1966 Jones, Jr. .4 101/93 C QQQQQ PATENTEDJUH 6 I972 SHEET 10F 8 FIG. 5

FIG.

FIG.

TAGS

PRINTING AND PUNCHING DEVICE CONTROL CIRCUIT DEVICE READOUT DEVICE PUNCHED TAPE FIG.

P 83 M 5 5 H A O 8 8 8 DI QAQ M 4\ 4 A 1 2 I O 8 8 8 DI 983? M 3 A 3 2 I O 8 8 8 0- 3 M 2\ 2 A x. 2 I O 8 8 8 0| I\JQJQJQJII M 1\ I A 1 2 H O 8 8 8 I ST BIT 2ND BIT 3RD BIT 4TH BIT 5TH BIT (FROM SHIFT REGISTER) INI/ENTOR.

BY u/n PAIENTEDJUII 6 I972 SHEET 2 OF 8 FIG. 3

II" I9 I Q SECTION TO BE PRINTED WITH AMOUNT 3 SECTION TO BE I PRINTED WITH IIIIIIIIIIIEIIIII I a? OF GOODS E IO BH 1 o T E OI D o TW 0 C O \INDT D o wm N o TCW E 0 CN EU o SPA o o o E m 0 O N 0 I W O T MW 0 D N o [O O TCE CN o EUO o SPC o o o L 0 (7A E APB 42 TD MO IC FIG. 9

TO DATA BUFFER 4O 19TH 20 TI? COLUMN COLUMN TO ZERO SUPPREEISD CIRCUIT 49 FULL STOP GENERATOR 50 L I ST 2 ND COLUMN COLUMN INPUT LINE I NY ENTOR.

PAIENTEDJUII e 1912 3.667, 669

(FROM SHIFT REGISTER)CHARACTER SIGNAL BIT BIT F G 1 1 111 81-1 511* 1324 ORL OR 1335 1315- ORL RECORDING 1 INFORMATION SIGNAL 1. 1 111 @11 (FROM DATA BUFFER) 2ND 4TH BIT BIT STOP SIGNAL (TO CONTROL CIRCUIT) FROM TAG NUMBER COUNTER LWEXTOR BY Z N" :5 I

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING A PRINTED AND PUNCHED CARD The present invention relates to improvements in an apparatus for preparing a printed and punched card used, for example, in tag making.

Tags attached to commercial commodities are generally printed and punched with information on the classification codes, prices and other items of commercial articles, so as to be further processed by an electronic computer. The reading of such punched information by the electronic computer enables, for example, the summing up of sales amounts to be carried out accurately and in a short time.

According to the conventional method of preparing such a tag, information on the classification code, prices and other items of commercial goods is punched in a tag by actuating a punching means through the operation of hand operable keys. Thereafter, data punched in a tag are read out by a separate reading and printing means to be indicated thereon. With such prior art punching and printing system, however, the keys of the punching means had to be operated by hand according to the items of data, for example, the classification codes, prices, etc. of commercial articles, so that the key operation was troublesome and consumed much time. Further, punching and printing were caused to be performed separately due to the shape of a tag to be prepared, with the result that the arrangement of the entire punching and printing apparatus, particularly that of the control device was complicated. Moreover, the conventional printing means indicated one or more zeros ahead of an effective amount, making it difficult for the buyer to read the amount thus indicated. Further, said printing means was incapable of denoting a full stop mark at the end of an amount, and most likely caused the amounts recorded on tags to be altered when they were later summed up, thus rendering the tag data unreliable.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple apparatus capable of preparing a required number of cards printed and punched with data in a short time by carrying out said printing and punching at the same time. Such apparatus comprises a readout means for reading out signals representing information punched in a tape, a card feeder for controlling the feeding ofa paper card in which information signal is to be recorded by printing and punching, this information signal is hereinafter referred to as recording information signal, a letter signal generating means for generating letter signals corresponding to the types successively passing through a printing section, a printing means for printing in two rows by a double-faced hammer with the paper card interposed therebetween, a punching means for punching the paper card by the vertical movement of a punching rod and s control circuit for actuating both printing and punching means at a time when there is exact agreement between the signals representing recording information read out by the readout means and the letter signals generated by the letter signal generating means, preventing unnecessary zeros from appearing ahead of an amount to be printed and attaching a full stop to the end of the amount.

This invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in connection with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a punched tape prepared in making out order slips;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the printing and punching apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 represents the form of a paper tag used in the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of said printing and punching apparatus showing its mechanical arrangement;

FIG. 5 represents a code disk used in the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control means involved in the printing and punching apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows the concrete arrangement of a control circuit involved in the control means of FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 8 to 15 are the concrete arrangements of a punching rod driving section, address counter, data buffer, coincidence circuit, tag number counter, zero detector, zero suppressing circuit and full stop signal generator, all involved in said control means.

There will now be described by reference to the appended drawings an apparatus for preparing a printed and punched tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention utilizes a punched tape 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 which is available in making out an order slip as a medium of supplying information. The tape 1 is punched with information, for example, on 14 columns of the classification code of commercial goods, 6 columns of an amount and 3 columns of a number of cards to be prepared. Said information is punched in the tape by the binary code system, and successively read out by a tag reader 12 shown in FIG. 2 to generate information signals. Said information signals are first stored in the data buffer and column counter circuits (not shown) involved in a control device 13. Thereafter signals representing the stored information of 20 columns on the classification codes and amount and those designating letters or numerals which are drawn out of a printing and punching means 14 are collated to detemiine whether they can be exactly identified with each other. Output signals resulting from said identification are supplied to the printing and punching means 14 in synchronism with letter signals. Said means 14 prints the recording information of 20 columns on a required number of tags and at the same time punches said information therein by the binary code system.

On a paper tag 15 used in the present invention, there are formed, as shown in FIG. 3, two parallel printing sections indicating information on the classification codes, prices of commercial commodities in a row in the lengthwise direction of the card and below these printing sections a punching section where recording information is to be punched by the binary code system in the direction perpendicular to that of printing sections. Further between the two printing sections is formed a detachable section 2 indicated by a dotted line so as to remove the lower part of the tag. The punching section is perforated with a series of sprocket holes 16 in its lengthwise direction. The starting part of the amount column has been printed with a mark A plurality of single detachable paper tags are joined together lengthwise to form a tape-like sheeting. After printing and punching are completed in the printing and punching means 14, the tag paper sheeting is divided into single tags.

There will now be described by reference to FIG. 4 the printing and punching means 14. A tag paper sheeting 15 is carried forward in the direction of the indicated arrow by engaging the sprocket wheel 17 of the feeding means with the sprocket holes 16 and rotating the sprocket wheel 17 by a driving means 18 thereof. The driving means is provided with a stepping magnet (not shown) whose actuation causes the sprocket wheel 17 to rotate. The tag paper sheeting 15 is on one side in its lengthwise direction perforated with a tag end detecting holes 19 at a space corresponding to the length of a single tag, these holes 19 concurrently serving to allow threads to pass therethrough in order to attach the tag to a commercial article. In the travelling path of the tag paper sheeting 15 is disposed a detecting means for detecting the tag end detecting holes 19. The detecting means consists of a light source 20 and photoelectric conversion element 21 located above and below the perforated side of the tag paper sheeting 15 respectively so as to face each other. A light from the source 20 is allowed to pass to the photoelectric conversion element 21 through the tag end detecting holes 19 so as to detect their positions, obtaining signals representing the detected tag ends from the photoelectric conversion element 21. On the other side of the tag paper sheeting 15, that is, that part corresponding to the punching section is positioned a punching means for punching recording information of 20 columns read out of a separate punched tape 1 by the binary code system. One part of the punching means is disposed above, and the other part below,

the tag paper sheeting 15. The punching means consists of a punching rod receiving plate 22 disposed above the tag paper sheeting 15 parallel to its crosswise direction and perforated with a plurality of through holes 23, and a punching rod driving section 24 located below the tag paper sheeting 15 so as to face the receiving plate 22. By means of the driving section 24 the punching rods 25 are selectively driven to punch the tag paper sheeting 15 and received within the through holes 23 of the receiving plate 22. Across the travelling passage of the tag paper sheeting 15 is juxtaposed with the punching means a printing means for printing recording information on the tag paper sheeting 15. On that lengthwise side of the tag paper sheeting 15, which corresponds to the aforesaid two printing sections, there is provided a rotatable drum 26 whose axis is disposed parallel to the crosswise direction of the tag paper sheeting 15. The drum 26 is continuously driven by a motor 28 connected thereto by a shaft 27. A printing cylinder 29 is arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable drum 26. On the printing cylinder 29 are arranged types 30 in the peripheral direction in two rows corresponding to the aforementioned two printing sections. The types 30 rotate together with the rotatable drum 26 and continuously pass through the printing position facing the tag paper sheeting 15. Between the tag paper sheeting l and printing cylinder 29 is placed copy paper sheeting 31. The copy paper sheeting 31 is stretched by being wound about a feed roller 32 and takeup roller 33 set on both sides of the printing cylinder 29. Further below the tag paper sheeting is positioned a double-faced hammer so as to face the printing cylinder 29. The hammer 34 is actuated by the action of a hammer driving magnet (not shown) received in a hammer driving means 35 so as to tap the two rows of types on the printing cylinder 29 at the same time from the backside of the tag paper sheeting with the copy paper sheeting 31 interposed between the hammer 34 and types 30. Thus when brought to the printing position, the types 30 arranged in two rows are tapped by the double-faced hammer 34 to print two rows of letters in the two printing sections respectively of the tag paper sheeting 15. Further, the shaft 27 connecting the rotary drum 26 with the motor 28 is coaxially fitted with a single generating means or a code disk 36 wherein there are scattered holes in radial directions. This code disk 36 comprises, as shown in FIG. 5, seven tracks. The first track is perforated with a single bore to be used in detecting the position ofa home. Over the third to seventh tracks are scattered bores to detect character signals encoded according to the types 30. The second track in particular is perforated with additional bores to form signals synchronized with letter signals. On both sides of the code disk 36 are arranged a light source 37 and photoelectric conversion element 38 through the code disk 36 to read out the codes on the code disk 36 and obtain from the photoelectric conversion element 38 letter signals, signals indicating the position of the home and timing signals. In this case, the photoelectric conversion element 38 gives forth different character signals in turn due to the rotation of the code disk 36, each time they are brought to the printing position and also signals indicating the position of the home once per rotation.

The printing and punching device of the present invention arranged as described above actuates a stepping magnet (not shown) to supply the sprocket wheel 17 with the rotating moment of the driving means 18, thereby allowing the tag paper sheeting to be carried forward. The intermittent actuation of the stepping magnet enables the tag paper sheeting 15 to be advanced one column at a time. While the tag paper sheeting 15 is travelling, a light from the source passes through the tag end detecting holes 19 to the photoelectric conversion element which detects the end of each tag involved in the tag paper sheeting 15 and issues signals indicating the detection of the tag end. The actuation of a punching rod driving magnet shown in H6. 8 which is received in a punching rod driving section 24 constituting part of a punching means urges punching rods 25 upward to extend outside of said section 24. The upper ends of the punching rods 25 penetrate the tag paper sheeting 15 and enter into the through holes 23 of the receiving plate 22, thus causing the tag paper sheeting 15 to be punched by the binary code system. The hammer 34 of the printing means is actuated by a hammer driving magnet contained in a hammer driving section 24 constituting part of the printing means. The hammer 34 taps the types 30 formed in the printing cylinder 29 from the backside of the tag paper sheeting 15 with copy paper 31 interposed between the hammer 34 and types 30 to print characters on the tag paper sheeting 15. To prevent the same part of the copy paper 31 from being tapped by the hammer 34, the fresh or non-printed part of the copy paper 31 is always brought to the printing position by the action of a feed roller 32, and the printed part of the copy paper 31 is wound about a take-up roller 33.

With a printing and punching device 14 arranged as described above, the operation of the punching means, printing means and feeding means and the readout means 12 shown in FIG. 2 is controlled by the control device shown in FIG. 6, thereby enabling a required number of tags to be automatically prepared. When a start switch on a control panel (not shown) is closed there are generated start signals from a control circuit 39 to actuate the readout device 12. The actuated readout device 12 outputs from a punched tape shown in FIG. 1 while it is travelling signals representing information on the l4-column classification code and sixcolumn amount of each commercial commodity and the three-column number of tags to be prepared. Signals denoting the 20-column information consisting of those of the code and amount are supplied to the control circuit 39 and also to a data buffer circuit 40 under control of an address counter 48. Signals indicating the number of tags are supplied through the control circuit 39 to a tag number counter 41 to be stored therein. Upon completion of the aforementioned operation, there are generated stop signals to bring the readout means 12 to rest. While the readout means 12 reads out information stored in the punched tape 1, the control circuit 39 supplies the stepping magnet of the tag paper feeding means with signals for effecting said feeding, thereby causing the tag paper sheeting 15 to advance. The tag paper feeding signal is generated in such a manner that the code disk 36 is rotated according to the counting of timing signals drawn out of the photoelectric conversion ele ment 38 by means of said disk 36. Alternatively said tag paper feeding signals may be given forth from the code disk 37 by signals indicating the position of the home. On the other hand, with the printing and punching device, timing signals generated from the photoelectric conversion element 38 of a signal generating means and letter signals changing in turn are first stored in a register 42, and at the same time said character signals are supplied to a coincidence circuit. Part of the timing signals character supplied to the control circuit 39 which controls the data buffer circuit 40. Signals representing information stored in the data buffer circuit 40 are conducted to the coincidence circuit 43 one column after another until signals associated with the 20 columns are read out. In this case, signals indicating the recording information which are sup plied to the coincidence circuit 43 are held therein for a length of time required for the printing cylinder 29 of the printing means to make one rotation per column of said information. While signals representing the recording information are being impressed, the resultant character signals vary in turn, thus allowing the information signals to be collated with letter signals by the coincidence circuit 43. When both types of signals are identified with each other, namely, when that of the types 30 formed in the printing cylinder 29 which it is desired to print is brought to the printing position, then the coincidence circuit 43 generates signals providing such identification. The identification signals are supplied to the hammer driving magnet of the printing means through an AND circuit 44 and amplifier 45 to actuate said magnet and in consequence the hammer 34, thereby effecting printing on the tag paper sheeting l5. Character signals drawn out of the shift register 42 are formed in a plurality of bits. When each bit signal and the identification output signal are introduced into an AND circuit 46, then there are generated AND output signals, which are thereafter supplied to the punching rod driving magnets of the punching rod driving section 24 for their selective actuation, thereby causing the tag paper sheeting to be punched in a binary code system. The printing and punching operation using said identification output signals resulting from the collation of signals representing one column of the recording information and character signals is conducted alternately with the one pitch feeding of the tag paper sheeting 15 by feeding signals drawn out of the control circuit 39, said operation being repeated with respect to the columns. Thus is carried out the preparation of a single tag. When said preparation is completed, the control circuit 39 causes information stored in the tag number counter circuit 41 to be decreased by one using a subtracting signal formed by a tag end detecting signal. Thereafter there is performed the same operation of preparing a tag by repeating the cycle of reading information from the data buffer circuit 40 until there are prepared a required number of tags. When the information stored in the tag number counter circuit 41 is reduced to zero according as it is progressively subtracted, then this situation is detected by a zero detector 47, which supplies stop signal to the control circuit 39 to finish the operation of preparing tags. Next when there is received another batch of tags, there are again generated start signals from the control circuit 39 to repeat the aforementioned operating cycle.

Accordingly, the device of the present invention for printing and punching tags or cards enables a required number of tags or cards to be prepared automatically in a short time by a simple operation of fitting the punched tape 11 to the readout means 12.

There will now be described a circuit arrangement for suppressing one or more zeros unnecessarily placed ahead of an effective amount as customarily observed when the conventional device prints such amount on a tag and additionally indicating a full stop after the amount. This arrangement comprises a zero suppressing circuit 49 for eliminating under control of an address counter 48 one or more zeros unnecessarily placed ahead of signals indicating an amount involved in those representing the respective columns of recording information which are drawn out of the data buffer circuit 40, and a full stop signal generator for supplying the data buffer circuit 40 similarly under control of the address counter 48 with a code signal corresponding to a full stop after there is read out a signal designating the last digit of an amount.

There will now be described the specific arrangement of the control device 13 of FIG. 6 by reference to FIGS. 7 to 15. There is first explained by reference to FIG. 7 the operation of the control circuit 39 involved in the device of FIG. 6. When a start switch 60 is closed, a start flip-flop circuit 61 is set. From an output line thus set are generated signals representing 1". This I output is supplied to the readout means 12, which is actuated to cause signals representing information recorded in the punched data 11 to be supplied to the control circuit 39 and data buffer circuit 40. Set output signals of l from the flip-flop circuit 61 and external timing signals obtained from the sprocket holes of the punched tape 1 are supplied to an AND circuit 62, for an input cycle. Output signals from the AND circuit 62 are conducted to the address counter 48 through an OR circuit 63. The addresses of the data buffer circuit 40 are stored with signals associated with the respective columns of recording information corresponding to the characters to be printed on the tag paper sheeting 15 each time external timing signals arrive. Signals indicating number of tags to be prepared are supplied to the tag number counter 41. When the initial code of the number of tags to be prepared is detected from among information signals by a detector 64 of the initial code of the tag number, a flip-flop circuit 65 is set. When these set output signals and those from the AND circuit 62 for an input cycle are supplied to an AND circuit 66, there are generated AND output signals therefrom. Said AND output signals are supplied to an AND circuit 67 for the counting of the tag number, and the tag counter 41 is supplied with information to the subsequent tag number. When the end of information on the tag number is detected by a detector 68 for the end code of the tag number, then the flip-flop circuit 65 is reset, and signals of 0" are generated from the set output line, so that the AND circuit 66' gives forth no AND output signals and the tag counter 41 finishes the counting of the number of tags to be prepared. While the data buffer circuit 40 is supplied with information signals with output signals from the AND circuit 62 for an input cycle designated as l the flip-flop circuit 70 generates output signals of 0 on the reset line, thus causing a printing and punching flip-flop circuit 70 to be reset and in consequence output signals of O to be produced on the set output line. Since, during the aforesaid interval, the AND circuit 44 is supplied with said 0" output, it does not generate AND output signals, preventing either printing or punching from being performed.

When a code is detected indicating the end of infonnation signals including a classification amount and the number of tags to be prepared by a detector of a stop code 69, then the start and stop flip-flop circuit 61 is reset to generate O output signals from its set output line, thereby causing the readout means 12 to stop and the AND circuit 62 for an input cycle to generate 0 output signals. Accordingly, the address counter 48 does not produce output signals, nor is the data buffer 40 supplied with information signals.

When the start and stop flip-flop circuit 61 is reset, I signals are generated from its reset output line. These 1 signals set the printing and punching flip-flop circuit 70, supplying an AND circuit 71 for an output cycle with l signals. When the code disk 36 (FIGS. 4 and 5) from which character signals are generated makes one rotation, then signals indicating the position of the home which are derived from the code disk 36 through a solar cell are also supplied to the AND circuit 71 for an output cycle. Each time signals are supplied indicating the position of the home, output signals from the AND circuit 71 are conducted through the OR circuit 63 to advance the address counter 48. Signals representing the information of 20 columns including a classification code and amount stored in the data buffer circuit 40 are supplied to the coincidence circuit 43 one column after another under control of output signals from the address counter 48.

There will now be described the punching rod driving section 24. It consists of, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of circuits which comprise one-shot multivibrators 80, amplifiers 81 and punching rod driving magnets (or solenoids) 82, connected in series. Each of these circuits is used for each bit of letter signals from the shift register 42.

FIG. 9 is a preferred arrangement of the address counter 48. It consists of a ring counter comprising 20 flip-flop circuits whose input lines are supplied with output signals from the OR circuit 63 of the control circuit 39. Output signals from the ring counter are supplied to the respective columns of the data buffer 40. When signals indicating recording information are written in the data buffer 40, the address counter 48 is advanced in accordance with timing signals received from the sprocket holes, successively specifying the columns of the recording information which are to be written in the data buffer 40. Where there are read out signals of the information written in the data buffer 40, the address counter 48 is advanced by signals indicating the position of the home obtained from the code disk 36, successively specifying the columns of the information which are to be read out of the data buffer 40. When the recording information of 20 columns has been fully written in the data buffer the address counter 48 causes the first column of the data buffer 40 to be read out by input pulses supplied next time to the input line, and, when the recording information of 20 columns has been completely read out, sets said first column to be written by input pulses supplied next time to the input line.

The address counter may consist of an ordinary binary counter. In this case, however, it is necessary to provide a decoder between the address counter and data buffer.

The data buffer 40 is operated in such a manner that as shown in FIG. 10, when there are written data from the reading means 12, signals indicating the recording information of the 1st to 5th bits are temporarily stored in the flip-flop circuits 100 corresponding to these columns in accordance with column specifying signals from the address counter 48. When the flip-flop circuits 100 to 100,, corresponding to the first column of the recording information are supplied with column appointing signals from the address counter 48, said flip-flop circuits 100 to 100 are set according to the respective bits of the recording information of the first column. Next, when the flip-flop circuits 101 to 101 corresponding to the second column of the recording information are supplied with column specifying signals, said flip-flop circuits 101 to 101,, are set according to the respective bits of the recording information of the second column. The information of 20 columns is stored in flip-flop circuits 100, to 100 120 to 120 in the aforementioned manner.

When, after the writing of information in the data buffer 40 is completed, they are to be read out, the flip-flop circuits 100 to 100 are exclusively used in said readout.

When 1st column specifying signals are supplied from the address counter 48, the output gates 121 to 121 of the flipflop circuits 100 to 100 associated with the first column are opened, allowing the data of the first column to be supplied to the coincidence circuit 43.

There will now be described the coincidence circuit 43 by reference to FIG. 11. This circuit 43 generates printing and punching signals from the output line when there is exact agreement between letter signals and recording information signals, each of which comprises 5 bits. When the first bits of both types of signals represent 1", the AND circuit 130 generates output signals and in consequence the OR circuit 131, similarly gives forth output signals.

When the first bits of both letter signals and information signals denote then output signals from an OR circuit 132 indicate 0 and output signals from an inverter 133 represent 1 so that 1 output signals are generated from an OR circuit 131,. When the same bit of both character signals and information signals designates either 1 or 0", output signals are still generated from the OR circuit 131,. If, however, one of the aforementioned two types of signals indicates 1" and the other 0", and there is no agreement between said two types of signals, then the OR circuit 131 gives forth 0" output signals. Similarly with respect to the 2nd to th bits of said two types of signals, agreement between the same bits as l to "1 or 0" to 0" results in the issue of l output signals from an AND circuit 134 and in consequence the performance of printing and punching.

There will now be described the tag number counter 41 which counts the number of tags to be prepared. It consists of, as shown in FIG. 12, five flip-flop circuits 140 to 140 each of which is set by signals from the control circuit 39 which denote individual bits indicating the tag number, thereby counting a required number of tags. When the printing and punching cycle starts as the result of completion of the reading of signals indicating the tag number and the flip-flop circuit 140 is supplied with signals denoting the detected tag ends, namely, as subtraction signals, then output signals from the tag number counter 41 will be decreased one by one by the binary method, until when a required number of tags are printed and punched, said counter41 will generate no output signals.

There will be described a zero detector 47 by reference to FIG. 13. This detector 47 is so arranged that output signals from the tag number counter 41 are supplied to an AND circuit 151 through an inverter 150 150 While the tag number counter 41 continues to generate output signals, no output signal is produced from the AND circuit 151. When the tag number counter 41 gives forth zero signal, the AND circuit 151 generates a stop signal to reset the printing and punching flip-flop circuit 70 of the control circuit 39 and stop the printing and punching cycle.

In the circuit shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 14, the output "1 of FF 15 of the address counter 48 (shown in FIG. 9) corresponding to the 15th column (the 15th-20th columns of the punched tape are used for representing the amount in the embodiment) which prints the amount of the tag is supplied to the reset terminal R of FF 161 (shown in FIG. 14), and then FF 161 is reset. However, the output line 162 is not reset since the output of the inverter becomes 0" when a bit signal (0) representing the numeral (0) is supplied from the data buffer to the inverters 163 -163 thus, the output of the output line 162 remains 0. Consequently, AND circuit 44 (shown in FIG. 6) is not opened and the numeral (0) is not printed. When a bit signal representing numeral other than (0) is supplied to the inverters 163 -163 the output of the inverter 165 becomes 1" the FF 161 is set; the output line 162 generates an output 1, which opens AND circuit 44. As a result, the numeral other than (0) is printed on the tag.

In the next step, one signal (0) representing the numeral (0) is supplied to the inverters 163 -163 The output of the inverter 165 then becomes (0), but FF 161, as it has been set, is kept set and opens the gate of AND circuit 44, whereby the numeral (0) is printed.

As described above, if FF 161 is reset by the output of the address counter corresponding to the first column in which the head numeral (0) is to be printed, the numerals eg (0520) will be printed as (520). In printing the same data on second tag, FF 161 is reset by the output from the address counter in the same manner.

The delay circuit 166 is used to prevent the outputs from address counter and the inverter 165 from being simultaneously supplied to the R. S terminal of FF 161 and to reset FF 161 when a numeral other than (0) is to be printed on the first column.

There will now be described a full stop signal generator 50 by reference to FIG. 15, when signals from the address counter 48 which indicate the completion of printing an amount are supplied to the full stop signal generator 50. The generator 50 is then so actuated as to generate signals cor responding to a full stop code involved in letter signals. Let is be assumed that the letter signals representing the full stop code are designated as 10101. Then as shown in FIG. 15, inverters 170 and 171 are provided for the 2nd and 4th bits so as to form information signals of 10101 which are then added to the signals representing the last column of an amount which are read out from the data buffer 40. The aforementioned signals of 10101 are conducted to the coincidence circuit 43 to print a full stop on a tag. In this case, the full stop may be substituted by any other mark, provided that it denotes the end of an amount.

As mentioned above, the present invention provides a simple device for printing and punching tags which enables a required number of tags to be automatically prepared in a short time by punching and printing them at the same time by a double-faced hammer, renders an amount indicated easily legible for a buyer by suppressing zeros placed ahead of the amount and attaching a full stop to the end thereof and moreover prevents tags from being altered. It will be apparent that the device of the present invention is not limited to tags attached to commercial commodities, but is applicable for any other types of cards which permit printing and punching. Further, the photoelectric conversion element used in detecting the tag end may be replaced by a lever which is allowed to fall into the tag end detecting holes, thereby actuating a microswitch. It is also possible to substitute a magnetic pickup for the photoelectric conversion element. Moreover, a printing belt or type bar may be used instead of the printing cylinder. The types on the printing cylinder are not necessarily arranged in two rows. When the types are arranged in one row or more than three rows, there is used a single-faced hammer or more than triple-faced hammer respectively. There may be used other than five bits or tracks.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for preparing printed and punched cards comprising:

a readout device for reading out information punched in a tape;

a card feeder for controlling the feeding of a card paper sheeting in which said recording information, after being read out, is to be recorded by printing and punching;

a character signal generating means for generating character signals corresponding to the types successively passing through a printing section;

a printing means for printing the types by a hammer with the card paper sheeting interposed therebetween;

a punching means for punching the card by the movement of a punching rod;

and a device for controlling the operation of said readout device, the card feeder, and printing and punching means particularly actuating both printing and punching means at a time when there is an exact agreement between the recording information signals read out by the readout means and the letter signals generated by the letter signal generating means;

wherein said card is a tag; said letter signal generating means comprises a light source, a photoelectric conversion element facing said source, and a code disk disposed between said source and element which is perforated in a radial direction in a coded type corresponding to the types passing through the printing position; and the control device comprises a data buffer in which there is stored that part of the recording information from the readout device, an address counter for controlling the address of the data buffer to be prepared a card number counter for detecting the number of cards, a zero detector for detecting the completion of the preparation of cards, a control circuit for starting the operation of the readout device; controlling the address counter according to the column of the recording information to be written in the data buffer, (actuating the card feeder so as to cause the card paper to travel one pitch after another each time one column of the recording information is written in the data buffer,) supplying the card number counter with the information representing the number of cards to be prepared in the recording information, stopping the operation of the readout device after that part of the recording information is written to the bufier, thereafter controlling the address counter according to the column of the recording information to be read out of the data buffer, actuating the card feeder so as to cause the card paper to travel one pitch after another each time one column of the recording information is written in the buffer, and finally stopping the readout operation of the data buffer when there is completed the preparation of all the cards of the same kind, a register storing the character signals from the character signal generating means, a coincidence circuit for producing output signals when there is an exact agreement between the recording information signals read out of the data buffer and the character signals derived from the register, a printing and punching AND circuit for generating AND output signals upon receipt of output signals from the coincidence circuit, timing signals from the character signal generating means and signals from the control circuit for directing a printing and punching operation, a printing AND circuit for generating AND output signals when its input terminal is supplied at the same time with output signals from the printing and punching AND circuit and output signals from the shift register, a punching rod driving means for driving the punching rod so as to cause the card paper to be perforated with bores corresponding to the recording information signals by a binary code system using output signals from said punching and printing AND circuit, and an amplifying circuit for controlling the hammer so as to cause the card paper to be printed with the recording information signals using output signals from said punching and printing circuit.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said letter signal generating means comprises a light source, a photoelectric conversion element facing said source, and a code disk disposed between said source and element which is perforated in a radial direction to form distinct multi-bit binary code groups defining each type character thereon.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tag has two printing sections indicating information on the classification codes and prices of commercial commodities arranged in parallel rows in the lengthwise direction of the tag; a punching section disposed below the lower one of said printing sections in which there is to be punched by binary code system the information on the classification codes and prices of commercial commodities in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the tag; and a detachable section formed between said two printing sections.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said printing means includes the types arranged in two rows which are tapped by a double-faced hammer.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control device additionally comprises a zero suppressing circuit which prevents unnecessary zeros from being printed and punched ahead of an amount by suppressing the generation of AND output signals from the printing and punching circuit when there are drawn out of the data buffer those of the recording information signals which correspond to said unnecessary zeros, and a full stop generator for printing a full stop in a column immediately following the last column of the amount.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control device comprises a start switch; a start and stop flip-flop circuit (61) so arranged as to allow its set input terminal to be supplied with ON output signals from said switch and in consequence the readout device to be supplied with I set output signals; an AND circuit (62) for input cycle which is supplied with said l set output signals and sprocket hole detecting signals involved in the recording information signals; a flipflop circuit (65) which is set by the code signals involved in the recording information signals which indicate the beginning of card number signals and reset by the code signals thereof indicating the end of card number signals; and AND circuit 66) generating AND output signals upon receipt of AND output signals from the AND circuit (62) and set output signals from the flip-flop circuit (65); a group of AND circuits (67,) for supplying the card number counter with card number signals while the AND circuit (66) generates AND output signals; a stop code detector (69) for resetting the flip-flop circuit (61) when there is detected the end of the recording information signals; a printing and punching flip-flop circuit (70) which is set by l reset output signals from the flip-flop circuit (61), upon completion of readout by the readout device, supplying the printing and punching AND circuit with 1" set output signals to carry out printing and punching and reset by signals from the zero detector which indicate that the number of cards to be prepared has been reduced to zero; an AND circuit (71) for output cycle which is supplied with l set output signals from the flip-flop circuit (70), generates AND output signals each time there are supplied home position signals and causes the card paper sheeting to travel one pitch each time by said AND output signals; and an OR circuit (63) which is supplied with AND output signals from the AND circuit (62) when there are written the recording information signals in the data buffer and supplied with AND output signals from the AND circuit (71) when there are read the recording information signals out of the data buffer, thereby advancing the address counter and specifying the data buffer addresses for writing and reading respectively, the operation of reading out information from the data buffer being repeated till the desired number of tags is prepared.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the address counter consists of a ring counter.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the coincidence circuit comprises AND circuits to (130 which are supplied with signals representing one bit of the letter signals and signals indicating the corresponding bit of the recording information signals and generate 1 output signals only when these two types of signals consist of l output signals; OR circuits (132,) to (132,) which are supplied with signals denoting one bit of the letter signals and signals representing the corresponding bit of the recording information signals and generate output signals only when these two types of signals are "0" signals; inverters (133,) to (133 for inverting the 0" output signals from the OR circuits (132,) to (132 OR circuits (131,) to (131 for generating OR output signals when there are received either 1 output signals from the AND circuits (131,) to (131,) or l output signals from the inverters (133,) to (133 and an AND circuit (134) for generating AND output signals when there are given forth output signals from all the OR circuits (131,) to (131 and, when there is an exact agreement between the character signals and recording information signals in respect of l or 0 throughout all the bits, generating AND output signals indicating said agreement.

9 An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the zero detector comprises inverters (150,) to (150 which are supplied with output signals from the card number counter and an AND circuit (151) which is supplied with output signals from the inverters (150,) to (150 and, when all the output signals from the card number counter denote zero, generates l output signals.

10. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the zero suppressing means comprises an AND circuit for generating output signals upon receipt of signals from the address counter indicating those columns of the recording information signals which correspond to the signals representing the amount sections; a flip-flop circuit 161) which is reset by output signals from the AND circuit (160), supplies the AND circuit (44) with 0 reset output signals, thereby stopping the and punching cycle; a plurality of inverters (163,) to (163 which are supplied with signals denoting the respective bits of the recording information signals read out of the data buffer; an AND circuit (164) which is supplied with output signals from the inverters (163,) to (163 and an inverter (165) which is supplied with AND output signals from the AND circuit (164), generates 0" output signals when signals associated with all the bits of the recording information signals consist of 0" signals, keeping the flip-flop circuit (161) reset, generates l signals when the recording information signals received contain amount signals and sets the flip-flop circuit (161), thereby supplying the AND circuit (44) with the resultant l output signals. 

1. An apparatus for preparing printed and punched cards comprising: a readout device for reading out information punched in a tape; a card feeder for controlling the feeding of a card paper sheeting in which said recording information, after being read out, is to be recorded by printing and punching; a character signal generating means for generating character signals corresponding to the types successively passing through a printing section; a printing means for printing the types by a hammer with the card paper sheeting interposed therebetween; a punching means for punching the card by the movement of a punching rod; and a device for controlling the operation of said readout device, the card feeder, and printing and punching means particularly actuating both printing and punching means at a time when there is an exact agreement between the recording information signals read out by the readout means and the letter signals generated by the letter signal generating means; wherein said card is a tag; said letter signal generating means comprises a light source, a photoelectric conversion element facing said source, and a code disk disposed between said source and element which is perforated in a radial direction in a coded type corresponding to the types passing through the printing position; and the control device comprises a data buffer in which there is stored that part of the recording information from the readout device, an address counter for controlling the address of the data buffer to be prepared a card number counter for detecting the number of cards, a zero detector for detecting the completion of the preparation of cards, a control circuit for starting the operation of the readout device; controlling the address counter according to the column of the recording information to be written in the data buffer, (actuating the card feeder so as to cause the card paper to travel one pitch after another each time one column of the recording information is written in the data buffer,) supplying the card number counter with the information representing the number of cards to be prepared in the recording information, stopping the operation of the readout device after that part of the recording information is written to the buffer, thereafter controlling the address counter according to the column of the recording information to be read out of the data buffer, actuating the card feeder so as to cause the card paper to travel one pitch after another each time one column of the recording information is written in the buffer, and finally stopping the readout operation of the data buffer when there is completed the preparation of all the cards of the same kind, a register storing the character signals from the character signal generating means, a coincidence circuit for producing output signals when there is an exact agreement between the recording information signals read out of the data buffer and the character signals derived from the register, a printing and punching AND circuit for generating AND output signals upon receipt of output signals from the coincidence circuit, timing signals from the character signal generating means and signals from the control circuit for directing a printing and punching operation, a printing AND circuit for generating AND output signals when its input terminal is supplied at the same time with output signals from the pRinting and punching AND circuit and output signals from the shift register, a punching rod driving means for driving the punching rod so as to cause the card paper to be perforated with bores corresponding to the recording information signals by a binary code system using output signals from said punching and printing AND circuit, and an amplifying circuit for controlling the hammer so as to cause the card paper to be printed with the recording information signals using output signals from said punching and printing circuit.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said letter signal generating means comprises a light source, a photoelectric conversion element facing said source, and a code disk disposed between said source and element which is perforated in a radial direction to form distinct multi-bit binary code groups defining each type character thereon.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tag has two printing sections indicating information on the classification codes and prices of commercial commodities arranged in parallel rows in the lengthwise direction of the tag; a punching section disposed below the lower one of said printing sections in which there is to be punched by binary code system the information on the classification codes and prices of commercial commodities in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the tag; and a detachable section formed between said two printing sections.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said printing means includes the types arranged in two rows which are tapped by a double-faced hammer.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control device additionally comprises a zero suppressing circuit which prevents unnecessary zeros from being printed and punched ahead of an amount by suppressing the generation of AND output signals from the printing and punching circuit when there are drawn out of the data buffer those of the recording information signals which correspond to said unnecessary zeros, and a full stop generator for printing a full stop in a column immediately following the last column of the amount.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control device comprises a start switch; a start and stop flip-flop circuit (61) so arranged as to allow its set input terminal to be supplied with ON output signals from said switch and in consequence the readout device to be supplied with ''''1'''' set output signals; an AND circuit (62) for input cycle which is supplied with said ''''1'''' set output signals and sprocket hole detecting signals involved in the recording information signals; a flip-flop circuit (65) which is set by the code signals involved in the recording information signals which indicate the beginning of card number signals and reset by the code signals thereof indicating the end of card number signals; and AND circuit (66) generating AND output signals upon receipt of AND output signals from the AND circuit (62) and set output signals from the flip-flop circuit (65); a group of AND circuits (671) ... for supplying the card number counter with card number signals while the AND circuit (66) generates AND output signals; a stop code detector (69) for resetting the flip-flop circuit (61) when there is detected the end of the recording information signals; a printing and punching flip-flop circuit (70) which is set by ''''1'''' reset output signals from the flip-flop circuit (61), upon completion of readout by the readout device, supplying the printing and punching AND circuit with ''''1'''' set output signals to carry out printing and punching and reset by signals from the zero detector which indicate that the number of cards to be prepared has been reduced to zero; an AND circuit (71) for output cycle which is supplied with ''''1'''' set output signals from the flip-flop circuit (70), generates AND output signals each time there are supplied home pOsition signals and causes the card paper sheeting to travel one pitch each time by said AND output signals; and an OR circuit (63) which is supplied with AND output signals from the AND circuit (62) when there are written the recording information signals in the data buffer and supplied with AND output signals from the AND circuit (71) when there are read the recording information signals out of the data buffer, thereby advancing the address counter and specifying the data buffer addresses for writing and reading respectively, the operation of reading out information from the data buffer being repeated till the desired number of tags is prepared.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the address counter consists of a ring counter.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the coincidence circuit comprises AND circuits (1301) to (1305) which are supplied with signals representing one bit of the letter signals and signals indicating the corresponding bit of the recording information signals and generate ''''1'''' output signals only when these two types of signals consist of ''''1'''' output signals; OR circuits (1321) to (1325) which are supplied with signals denoting one bit of the letter signals and signals representing the corresponding bit of the recording information signals and generate ''''0'''' output signals only when these two types of signals are ''''0'''' signals; inverters (1331) to (1335) for inverting the ''''0'''' output signals from the OR circuits (1321) to (1325); OR circuits (1311) to (1315) for generating OR output signals when there are received either ''''1'''' output signals from the AND circuits (1311) to (1315) or ''''1'''' output signals from the inverters (1331) to (1335); and an AND circuit (134) for generating AND output signals when there are given forth output signals from all the OR circuits (1311) to (1315), and, when there is an exact agreement between the character signals and recording information signals in respect of ''''1'''' or ''''0'''' throughout all the bits, generating AND output signals indicating said agreement.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the zero detector comprises inverters (1501) to (1505) which are supplied with output signals from the card number counter and an AND circuit (151) which is supplied with output signals from the inverters (1501) to (1505) and, when all the output signals from the card number counter denote zero, generates ''''1'''' output signals.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the zero suppressing means comprises an AND circuit (160) for generating output signals upon receipt of signals from the address counter indicating those columns of the recording information signals which correspond to the signals representing the amount sections; a flip-flop circuit (161) which is reset by output signals from the AND circuit (160), supplies the AND circuit (44) with ''''0'''' reset output signals, thereby stopping the and punching cycle; a plurality of inverters (1631) to (1635) which are supplied with signals denoting the respective bits of the recording information signals read out of the data buffer; an AND circuit (164) which is supplied with output signals from the inverters (1631) to (1635); and an inverter (165) which is supplied with AND output signals from the AND circuit (164), generates ''''0'''' output signals when signals associated with all the bits of the recording information signals consist of ''''0'''' signals, keeping the flip-flop circuit (161) reset, generates ''''1'''' signals when the recording information signals received contain amount signals and sets the flip-flop circuit (161), thereby supplying the AND circuit (44) with thE resultant ''''1'''' output signals. 